The Nature Conservancy’s new agroforestry project called Expanding Agroforestry Production (EAP). The EAP program is focused on adding new fruit, nut, timber, and biodiversity trees and shrubs through alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreak practices. For qualified farmers, this project will offer technical assistance, Per-Tree Installation Costs Incentive (average $30/tree), and Transition Incentive of $450/acre paid out in three installments. You can find more about the payments here: Fact sheet on the Incentive Payment Program.
Regions included shown below.
When, Where, How?
- Enrollment is open now for producers in the Upper Midwest, Lower Midwest, Mid- Atlantic/Central Appalachia, Northeast and Hawai’i regions.
- Projects need to be in one of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Projects must follow NRCS Conservation Practice Standards for Alley Cropping, Silvopasture, and/or Windbreaks (either the state Conservation Practice Standards or the national Conservation Practice standards may be used).
So essentially, EAP can pay producers about $1200 per acre to establish trees on their operations. That should go a long way toward getting silvopasture established on lots of farms and creating shade for livestock, improving summer forage quality, and extending the grazing season. Check out the program! And if TFG can be of service in the process, please feel free to reach out.
What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic and social benefits.
